After getting Seattle to take the $15 leap, minimum wage activists seek second lemming
Fresh from their victory with the Seattle City Council, backers of a $15 minimum wage want to take the campaign to other cities. Homecare workers are also angling for a $15 minimum. In my column today, I urge caution. No need for any one to rush to be the second lemming. There’s a natural experiment […]
June 03 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Seattle adopts a $15 minimum wage. Now what?
As expected, the Seattle City Council yesterday unanimously adopted a $15 minimum wage, hewing close to Mayor Ed Murray’s proposal. They did this, as the Seattle Times reports, without knowing what the consequences will be. “No city or state has gone this far. We go into uncharted territory,” said Seattle City Council member Sally Clark […]
May 31 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Seattle's minimum wage law should recognize franchises are small businesses
The Seattle Times offers some good editorial counsel to the Seattle City Council. Noting that the $15 minimum wage ordinance treats franchises as big business, the Time points out that the decision makes little no sense. [There are] 1,700-some independent franchisees operating in the City of Seattle. In addition to fast-food franchises, these are businesses offering […]
May 30 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Looking ahead: Minimum wage, fish consumption, data centers, and cap & trade.
The week ends with a few stories reflecting some changes ahead: Minimum Wage Puget Sound Business Journal asks, $15 minimum wage: What will Seattle restaurants with Eastside locations do? Some of the answers aren’t good. A Crosscut article, Seattle on verge of ‘historic’ action on minimum wage, closes with a curious quote from Seattle councilmember Sally Clark, who […]
May 29 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Sharp dissent from a business member of Seattle mayor's minimum wage committee, city council considers amendments (UPDATED)
The Seattle Times reports that Seattle business owner Dave Meinert, a member of Mayor Ed Murray’s income inequality advisory committee is calling the process leading to a supposed compromise proposal a “charade.” His characterization is a pointed departure from Seattle nice. … Meinert says he feels betrayed by the process because the proposal business owners […]
May 27 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Speaker Frank Chopp in Publicola: "My goal is to pass an increased statewide minimum wage."
Publicola asked House Speaker Frank Chopp if he regretted not moving Rep. Jessyn Farrell’s proposed $12 statewide minimum wage last session. They publish his response here. This is the crux, but you’d benefit from reading it in context. My goal is to pass an increased statewide minimum wage for Washington workers and families. I am […]
May 27 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Seattle, nation's fastest growing city, and some bumps in the road ahead: business costs, housing affordability, and rising taxes
The Census Bureau reported last week that Seattle was the nation’s fastest growing city. From the Seattle Times story: From July 1, 2012 to July 1, 2013, Seattle grew by 2.8 percent — the highest rate among the 50 most-populous U.S. cities. Seattle added nearly 18,000 residents in the one-year period, bringing its population to about 652,000. The Times notes […]
May 23 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
Seattle's $15 minimum wage: Buyer's remorse before the sale
Even as it was being announced and celebrated by some members of his income inequality committee, the political leaders acknowledged the Seattle mayor’s $15 minimum wage proposal would undergo tweaking before it was adopted by the city council. Remember Councilmember Nick Licata’s comments about legislators liking to get their “fingerprints” on such things. There’s been […]
May 20 , 2014 - Emily Makings
Court decides workers' comp voluntary settlements case
The Washington Court of Appeals today held that the workers’ compensation voluntary settlements statute does not permit the Board or its hearing examiner to reject a proposed CRSSA [claim resolution structured settlement agreement] for a worker represented by an attorney because they deem it not to be in the worker’s best interest. Further, The statutory […]
May 15 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
"Day of Action" for $15 minimum wage, union-backed strikes and the risks of urban progressivism
Another day of fast-food “strikes” inspired and promoted by labor unions to set a $15 minimum wage. (KING 5 has video of the Seattle activity.) Josh Eidelson, a former union organizer, writes at Salon about the day’s events. The actions, which will be announced at a noon press event in Manhattan, were discussed this week in New […]